Belgium cancel training

LONDON. — The Belgium national football team have cancelled training yesterday after the deadly attacks in the capital Brussels. There have been multiple fatalities after two explosions ripped through Zaventem Airport on the outskirts of the city in an apparent suicide attack – and a third blast hit the Maalbeek Metro station in the city-centre. Belgium are due to host a friendly against Portugal next Tuesday at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.

And the Portugese FA said: “The Federacao Portuguesa de Futebol (FPF) is in touch with its Belgian counterpart and the Portuguese, Belgian and international authorities, in view of the events of today and the anticipated game for Tuesday next week.” A tweet from the Belgian team’s official account, @BelRedDevils, read: “#tousensemble, our thoughts are with the victims. Football is not important today. Training cancelled.”

Tottenham, who have four Belgium internationals in Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Mousa Dembele and Nacer Chadli, tweeted: “We’ve been in contact with our @BelRedDevils players who are safe and well.”

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet tweeted “#Zaventem” in reference to the location of Brussels Airport. Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj added: “Horrible to see what is going on in Brussels #Zaventem”